Mark Carney succeeds Trudeau as Liberal leader

Federal Liberals elected Mark Carney to lead their party into the next election in a resounding first-ballot victory on Sunday, putting him on track to soon become the next prime minister of Canada.

This brings an end to an unusually short, two-month long leadership race called to replace outgoing leader Justin Trudeau and clears the path for an expected early election call. "I feel like everything in my life has helped prepare me for this moment," Carney said in his victory speech. "Two months ago, I put up my hand to run for leader because I felt we needed big changes -- big changes guided by strong Canadian values."

Carney captured 85.9 per cent of the vote, beating former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, who came in a distant second despite precipitating the race when she resigned from cabinet. Speaking to reporters afterward, Freeland hailed the win as a sign the party is in great shape, but said of the final results that she "always knew this was going to be an uphill battle."